There is no doubt that Eleven Madison Park is right now one of the best Restaurants in New York and probably is one of the top 15 in the World.

What happens when you combine the best restaurant with the best beer brewery? You get one hell of an evening! And one very full stomach!

This unique dinner took place on Sunday, June 26. Tickets were $150 per person, and include delicacies like beer aged in bourbon barrels paired with foie gras, a cocktail-inspired beer paired with canapés, and a sample of the first batch of Brooklyn Local 1, made in 2006

Warm welcome by EMP Chef Daniel Humm and Brewmaster Garrett Oliver.

We came inside for the feast:

First dish: Oyster With Sterling Royal Caviar and Vichyssoise.

Beer pairing: Cuvee de la Crochet Rouge, 2010.This beer is a mutation of our Brooklyn Local 1, it was barrel-aged for six month on wine lees (sediments) from the Red Hook Winery in Brooklyn. The natural yeast from the Long Island Vineyards transformed the beer. Re-fermented in the bottle.

Second dish: Foie Gras.Terrine with Strawberry, Yuzu and Black Pepper.

Beer Pairing: Wild 1, 2008Another variation of the Local 1, aged for nine months in Woodford Reserve Bourbon barrels and then re-fermented with Brettanomyces, a wild yeast strain which imparts a range of earthy aromatics

Sorachi Ace.

This is one of the few beers from that dinner that will be released to the public. I can not wait to buy this.

Third dish: Lobster.Butter Poached with Lemon Verbena and Summer Squash

Beer pairing: Sorachi Ale, 2011Named after the Japanese derived hop variety of the same name, this is a beer with the structure of a classic Belgian farmhouse but very distinctly infused with the lemongrass and dill-like aromatic of the Sorachi Ace hop.

Local 11 – Special Beer collaboration between EMP and Brooklyn Brewer

This beer is going to be sold only at EMP

Fourth Dish: Pork. Four Story Hill Farm Suckling Pig with Apricot and Cardamon.

Beer Pairing: Local 11, 2011
Special collaboration between Brooklyn Brewing and Eleven Madison Park. It is a version of the dark abbey ale, Brooklyn Local 2. Aged for 3 month in barrels that previously held Pappy Van Winkle, 20 years old Whiskey ( one of the best in the World )

Fifth: Chevre Variations of goat cheese with Onion, Cherry and Walnut.

Beer Pairing: Local 1, Original Assay, 2006.
First ever test brewing of the famous Brooklyn Beer Local 1, brewed in September 20, 2006. This special batch never sold to the public.

Brooklyn Beer Black Chocolate Stout, 2003

The guys at Brooklyn Brewery had to buy these bottles back from the public, for this dinner. They sold out all the stock. This chocolatey stout was a perfect match with the rich and decadent dessert.

 

Dessert: Chocolate. Cannelloni with Espresso, Caramel and Yogurt.

Beer pairing: Brooklyn Beer Black Chocolate Stout, 2003

Petit Fours

Beer Pairing: Black Ops, Late Bottled Vintage, 2007
Rare imperial stout, (never sold to the public.) We had the last two barrels of this rare beer. Very special and very unique.

Conclusion: To be honest Jose and I do not know too much about Beer and generally don’t order it often but after this educational and delicious experience we see beer in a new light. This was a spectacular night, one not to be forgotten! The food was innovative and delicious as always and the service was first class. We even given a momento, a signed menu and a copy of their new food publication. Speaking of publications we pre-ordered the Eleven Madison Park cookbook and are looking forward to taking some of those recipes for a spin. Once we get it pictures and post will follow.